Costello, Kniskern Lead Pompano Beach To Victory

Some games, moreso than others, can best be described as team wins and it’s likely that Joe Giummule’s team would agree with that sentiment. The concept of team ball was present on Thursday night as Pompano Beach did everything right in their 1-0 victory over Somerset Academy.

Taking the hill for the Tornadoes (4-3) was Chase Costello, who threw 58 percent of his 73 pitches for strikes and recorded three punchouts on the night en route to securing the win. Costello only allowed one hit, a fifth inning single to shortstop Jose Varela. After a stretch to start the season where the team gave up at least three runs in each game, everything that Joe Giummule could have asked from his starting pitcher was on display in Pompano Beach’s fourth win of the season.

Driving in Pompano Beach’s lone run was shortstop Trevor Kniskern, doing so with a two-out RBI single in the top of the fifth inning. The Tornadoes showed extraordinary patience at the plate on Thursday, drawing six walks — with second baseman Matt Stein drawing half of those on his own — off Panthers pitching. Also drawing walks in addition to Stein were shortstop Trevor Kniskern, center fielder Vinnie Costello, and Chase Costello.

Brandon Valentin pitched well as the starter for Somerset Academy (4-2) in his 4.1 innings of work, but reliever Juan J. Teixeira was excellent in his 2.2 innings on the mound. Teixeira not only threw 64 percent of his pitches for strikes, but he also punched out a staggering six men as 30 of Teixara’s 47 pitches went for strikes.

Following the start from Costello, Kniskern then closed it out for Pompano, striking out three over two innings of work to record the save.

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